Cubs Acquire Right-Hander Festa from Rangers, DFA Mastrobuoni

The Chicago Cubs have acquired right-handed pitcher Matt Festa from the Texas Rangers in exchange for cash considerations, both teams announced Friday. The move comes after Festa was designated for assignment by the Rangers earlier this week to make room on their roster. To accommodate Festa, the Cubs designated utility player Miles Mastrobuoni for assignment.

Festa, 31, was originally a seventh-round pick by the Seattle Mariners in 2016. He made his MLB debut in 2018, showing promise with a solid performance. However, his 2019 season was less successful, as he posted a 5.64 ERA in 20 appearances. Festa underwent Tommy John surgery in 2020 and returned to the Mariners in 2022, where he served as a middle reliever with a 4.14 ERA over 63 innings before being designated for assignment and released in late 2023.

Since then, Festa has bounced between multiple teams. He signed a minor league deal with the San Diego Padres in January 2023 but was released in May after posting a 4.50 ERA in 16 innings. Festa then joined the New York Mets on another minor league deal but struggled in his lone MLB appearance, allowing five runs (four earned) in one inning. He signed with the Rangers in July 2023 before being traded to the Cubs.

The Cubs’ decision to designate Mastrobuoni for assignment has sparked mixed reactions among fans. Mastrobuoni, who struggled at the plate, was seen as a liability by many. One fan commented, ‘Huge victory for Cubs fans. Mastrobuoni was dreadful to watch at the plate.’ Another added, ‘Finally, Mastrobuoni is gone. Hopefully, he’ll be on a flight to join Patrick Wisdom in Korea.’

Festa’s arrival adds depth to the Cubs’ bullpen, though some fans remain skeptical. ‘I hope this isn’t the big bullpen move,’ one fan remarked. The Cubs are expected to continue evaluating their roster as the season progresses.